2009-08-17

3ds Max 2010 can now import SketchUp!

Yes folks. If you have a subscription to max, the new update has a feature called the Connection Extension for Max 2010. Along with other interop features, Max can now import *.skp files.


I was fortunate enough to be able to put my two cents into this particular feature of Max, and have to say that it is a very powerful feature for SketchUp/Max users. It is also very strategic for Autodesk because now if you have Max 2010, you don't even need to purchase SketchUp Pro to export the 3D model to a universal file format. Max can import the plain .skp file.

89 comments:

  1. So I'm assuming that the texture coordinates follow with it as well? That alone is worth it.

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  2. That's correct. The UV's from sketchUp get translated into the max file during import.

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  3. is this already built into max design 2010 or is it a service pack / extension that needs to be downloaded?

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  4. As written obove, its a Extension. Only available for subscription customers at the moment.

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  5. please need help.
    i set up one viewport to PERSPECTIVE+AVTIVESHADE, and the other ports are TOP,FRONT and PERSPECTIVE, this is mi active port, mi question is,how or what is the set up allow to see the changes i made in this port simultaneously on the other port (perspectivie+activeshade). thanks in advance, mi e-mail is gjara@liebke.org

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  6. Looks great, but I'm confused about availability for a Max DESIGN 2010 version (what I have) vs. the Max 2010 product. Seems that I can't get this for Max Design 2010 even with a subscription. Correct? :(

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  7. I am using 3ds maxx 2010 trial 32-bit and I do not have the feature of importing skp. files. What I can only do is to export 3ds. file from Google Skt up and open it with 3ds max, but theere are a lot of errors with the materials. pls send and email to rip_rko_therock_vii@yahoo.com

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  8. Again, the Connection Extention add-on is available for download only to those that have a 3DS Max subscription through Autodesk.

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  9. Hey ramy, amm, i got a problem, when i export from sketchup to 3d max, there is a big problem, i have a lot of big black solid shadows, and i delete the light by default and add one from 3d max, and , the black shadow stills there, so, any help?

    here is an example:

    img59.imageshack.us/img59/9291/shadowm.jpg

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  10. They're not shadows. They look like reversed faces. You can fix this by flipping the normals in SketchUp. Check my posting on SketchUp to Max:

    http://3dsmaxrendering.blogspot.com/2008/09/sketch-up-to-3ds-max-does-work.html

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  11. Thanks a lot!! it works!!
    I have to say tath your blog helps me alot!!
    i want more tutorials haha!!
    Thank you again!

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  12. why i can not import sktchup file to 3d max???

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  13. so this extension only works with DESIGN 2010??? Arrgh!

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  14. no there are 2 extensions. one for 3ds max 2010 and one for 3ds max design 2010. both the same functions but not interchangeable. means the connection extension for max design wont work on normal max and vice versa.

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  15. There is one problem:

    when you model something in SU with camera match and you want to use the camera in 3d max. importing via the skp connection wont give you the right result. The camera doesn`t have the correct roll. if you use .3ds export it will export the camera roll.

    autodesk fixed the problem. now we only wait until they make an update..

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  16. Amazing! I don't want you to feel that i'm making you repeat yourself, but I just wanted to clarify, is there an extension for 2009 or is this simply for 2010?

    I am new to 3DsMax but am extremely familiar with Sketchup so i'm sorry if the following does not make much sense:
    Lighting: Is the lighting in your finished rendering all from 3DsMax?
    Bump Map: Do you create the bump maps in 3dsMax or does 3DsMax pick up the bump maps created in Sketchup?

    Thank you so much! This is extremely helpful!

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  17. The Connection Extension is not supported by max 2009, just 2010. As far as lighting and bump maps: they are all done in 3dsmax.

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  18. Awesome work Ramy! IF you wouldn't mind I was just looking for a bit of direction regarding the whole photreal rendering world. As an Architecture student and novice stating out(and obviously looking to develop my skills,)given the natural 'time constraints,' of the workplace today, how long approxiamtely/on average would it take someone with your experience to develop your images from first sketches through to presentation standard in 3ds Max? I'm at the point of balancing time/cost and obviosuly dont want to invest in a product that won't prove to be cost effective in the long run. Sketch-up is obvoiusly useful but i'm thnking the little extra time spent learning say revit 2010 combined with its enhanced rendering engine would be more beneficial? What do you think? Thanks for any advice you can offer.

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  19. Its a shame they couldn't intergrate this into the file link manager. I cant figure out a decent workflow for updating the scene with the revised model. Having to reapply materials and not being able to select the layers for import means a lot of repeat work.

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  20. Ei,, i dont have the connection extension,, but I'm using 3ds max 2010,,, but i cannot import skp files.. please help me...

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  21. please.. please.. please,,,hepl me,,, I have many projects on Sketchup,, and i want to bring it into my 3ds max 2010,for goog rendering,, with exact material... please help me......thanks God bless

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  22. Very nice lighting work Rami. I'm a former Houston native myself. Our office has been trying to integrate Sketchup and Max/Mental Ray for some time now with mixed results. Maybe this Connection Extension is the answer. It seems that it should be included with the program or be available as a free download though.

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  23. what if u downloaded the connection extension but you didnt subscribed, will it still work in max?

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  24. Ramy....Where did u get your Good sketchupo model?... Is that downloadable from google warehouse?Thank You very Much...

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  25. it is a model that I created. Because of copyrights, I do not have the ability to post it publicly

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  26. hey Ramy,, Why are my Materials from Sketchup that were imported were NoT TRANSFORMED into Architecture and desing MAterial? And still in Standard Form?....Plaese help me... Thanks So Much

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  27. It depends on how you imported them. If you're importing a .3ds file from SU then they come in as Standard materials. If you are importing the .skp file using the connection extension plug-in, then they come in as A&D materials.

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  28. what is meant by SU?

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  29. Ramy... Can You please help/tell me what method you Do in your model in rendering very realistic? because i'm so amazed.....it really inspire me! wow... please help me how can i render well like your mobel above....thanks a lot God Bless You...

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  30. RAmy,,,,, what set up did you used to make an photoRealistic Rendering to your image(from your sketchup model)..? thanks so much

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  31. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  32. Good Day Ramy...what is the difference between using the Standard material and architecture and Design matarial (As far as concern with your model/materials in sketchup)in rendering? which is more realistic? thank you very much ... I hope You can help me.. Godbless

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  33. When working in SketchUp, it doesn't matter what the material is. But in 3DS Max, Standard materials work with scanline rendering & mental ray rendering engines. Arch & Design materials only work with the mental ray rendering engine. The A&D material is much more powerful than most other shaders, and I recommend using this material for almost all scenarios.

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  34. thank you so much for the information... one more Question again, what if you just used your material as "Standard"(in your Sketchup model Above) , can you still Get a realistic render like the one you have created from your sketchup model?which is the hollibrook school.Because I'm so amazed and encaurage,,That is so amazing. Thank you so much again.. GodBless to you

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  35. A blessed Day Ramy.. i really Wonder how you got a Very very nice Render. because i have seen your slideshow which are your render collection,, And i/m so amazed that some of your models coming from sketchup (then bringing into 3ds max).... that is my inspiration on how ca i also make those good render..because I'm also a skecthup user... thank You Again, and I hope that You will help me... GodBless you

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  36. I have a Question,, Is the Connection Extension Downloadable If you have an autodesk subscription without any payment? Thank you so much

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  37. hey Ramy... I have a Question,, Can i Still have a photorealistic Render like what you did in your sketchup model without using the Connection extension, I mean if i will just export my sketchup file into 3ds max....Can i still have a photorealitic render? and what is the difference between using Connection extension and just exporting .skp file into 3ds max? thank you so much

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  38. Ramy i have a Question,, You mentioned that the 'Connection Extension'is not supported in 3ds max 2009, and its only supported in 3ds max 2010,, But The Model ( From your slide/3d portFolio, it is said from the information that your model is from sketchup and Render with 3ds max "2009" with mental ray ) that is my really question,, on how you did that? did you Connection extension? or just exporting you skp. file into 3ds max?..How?......Thank you i hope you understand me...Godbless you...

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  39. To answer your questions...

    Connection Extension Download:
    If you are a subscription member to Autodesk 3DS Max, you can download this one free at:
    http://subscription.autodesk.com/sp/servlet/public/index?siteID=11564774&id=11607975

    Without Connection Extension:
    Most of my renders that were originally modeled in SketchUp did not use the new Connection Extension plug-in. If you have SketchUp pro, you can still export from SU as a .3ds file and import it into any version of 3ds Max. The new connection extension just skips a step and allows you to import straight from the .skp file rather than having to open your SU file, export as .3ds, open max, import the .3ds file. The model in max essentially is the same with or without the plug-in. Hope this clears things up

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  40. Remy,
    Do you know if the sketchUp plugin works with vray for max, or if all the materials have to be changed again to render within vray. or if there would be a work around?

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  41. ok Ramy.... Its very clear to me now... Thanks a lot again... Godbless

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  42. Ramy..How many Photometric Lights did you used in your sketchup model Above?...because I also have a Model, and i tried to render It with a Lit scene but I still got a Dim Scene even i have a photometric lights there... What is Wrong with that?...

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  43. Ramy how did You Changed Your Material ( From The sketchup going to 3ds max, in not using the connection extension,because You said that if You do not use the Connection extension your material/texture from sketchup model that will import to 3ds max will have just " Standard" material not A&D, and you said that You often used your material as A&D..?..
    Thanks

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  44. Ramy... Are your materials(Textures)in the 3ds max is the same as your materials(Textures) in the sketchup that you've created? / please answer my question...Thanks so much

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  45. Photometric lights: Try increasing the % amount until you can actually see the lights. Exposure should be set to indoor/daylight.

    Materials: I do use the same texture maps as from SketchUp. But I also change the materials themselves to use A&D materials, and tweaking the reflection/refraction.

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  46. Materials: Question; But HOW do you change the material of sketchup to A&D materials? is it by just clicking the small" box" from A&D slot which changing just A Color,Then you will go to "Bitmap" and then selecting your texture that you want that was extracted in the folder during the importing process?....Am I correct or you have another method of changing your material from standard into A&D...?... thanks Again,,, Please answer my Question thanks

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  47. Good question. Firstly, if I have a texture map in my Standard materials diffuse slot, I right click on the node and choose Copy, then I follow the procedure in this post:

    http://3dsmaxrendering.blogspot.com/2009/06/multisub-object-instancing-trick.html

    Then after my material is now A&D, I right click on the empty diffuse slot and Paste Instance the texture map from the Standard material. This is the only way to do this right now.

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  48. ahhh... okey okey,,, Thanks,,, it means that the Clicking of the Box from the a&d material the selecting the texture that I want from bitmap is incorrect..... thanks

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  49. RAMY,, what is the difference between using the standard material and A&D material as rendering output image is concern?... thank You

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  50. Ramy in your model Above, which is the hollibrook school,,, in the lower right of the rendered image,, is that just a quick render?....thank you,, hoping for your answer

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  51. You's my Idol Ramy...

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  52. ramy,, i wish that you also post/make an animation of the hollibrook elementary school lieke what you have done in the Alvin Elementary School.....,,,thanks a lot

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  53. Title; Multi/Sub-Object instancing trick
    Ramy, I have a Question, What if i want to change the texture of A&D material, and i want to used the brick texture... How will i change it under the A&D material setting?.....Thank You

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  54. Ramy,,, i have A problem in opening the material editor,,, all Empty slot became color White, not dark gray as Before... how Will i solve that>?

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  55. Dear sir,
    I got the plugin, but when I import my sketchup model to 3dmax and click "materials" there aren't any. Though the materials are visible in the viewports the only thing I get in the materials window are empty slots. Nothing is converted to A&D either. Do you have any suggestions what might be wrong? I have been trying to solve this for days now. I would be grateful for any anwser. Thank you

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  56. Q: what is the difference between using the standard material and A&D material as rendering output image is concern?

    A: none. The A&D materials give you more options than the standard materials though.

    Q: in your model Above, which is the hollibrook school,,, in the lower right of the rendered image,, is that just a quick render?

    A: I wouldn't say quick. But it is a rendering.

    Q: i wish that you also post/make an animation of the hollibrook elementary school lieke what you have done in the Alvin Elementary School

    A: I would have loved to do an animation of Hollibrook...unfortunately, I never had time to do one for this project.

    Q:What if i want to change the texture of A&D material, and i want to used the brick texture... How will i change it under the A&D material setting

    A: Where it says Color in the diffuse category, just to the right click on that button then you can choose bitmap, and load your texture of brick

    Q:i have A problem in opening the material editor,,, all Empty slot became color White, not dark gray as Before... how Will i solve that?

    A: check your Gamma settings. It sounds like it could be on.

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  57. Ramy... how to render an AO pass with beauty pass?.. like your tutorial about AO., All i know is to render an AO pass(Only white image is made), but the AO WITH beauty pass i don't know..because You have said that it needs to tun OFF all exposure, and all Indirect Illumination,, then check the material overwrite,, but how to render that with beauti pass?.. Thanks

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  58. and i also have a problem about AO pass,in dragging the material diffuse slot into the material overwrite,because after dragging the name in material overwrite will be " Default 01" not "AO" like in your tutorial.....Thank you

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  59. This is just in folks: Max 2011 will be able to import SketchUp files straight out of the box!

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  60. When will the extension package be available for Max 2011?

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  61. With 2011, there is no extension package. Importing .skp files work with Max straight out of the box, just like .3ds or .obj files!

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  62. FOUND IT to get your subscription for SKP ex
    http://subscription.autodesk.com/sp/servlet/public/index?siteID=11564774&id=11607975

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  63. Hi Ramy
    Great blog, thanx for your work. I teach modeling and rendering at an architecture and design school in denmark. We use the new extension plugin to import SU and Rhino models into MAX.
    We have two major problems at this time:
    1) From SU: when we assign a new material to an object in max, the UVW map is an entirely different scale than the object, so we cannot use the Real world scale option. This is a big problem so we have to go back to .3ds formats. Have you encountered this problem?

    2) From Rhino: neither layers, groups, names nor colors are imported into MAX as they where in Rhino which makes it a pain to organize. Do you know of plans to improve this feature?

    Best, Morten Myrup

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  64. 1)This is because the SU importer retains UV information from SU for objects. If you assign a new material onto an imported object from SU, it still has the UV coordinates from the SU model. Just apply a UVW modifier to "reset" the UV coordinates.

    2)Don't know enough about Rhino, and how it relates to Max to give you a good answer.

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  65. Amazing this blog is so helpfull

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  66. When importing .skp files into 3ds max, the texture map is assigned with correct scaling.

    The issue which it tough to solve is even though the same SU texture is used on different objects in SU, once imported into 3ds max they are converted in several different marterials. It appears a new material is created for different objects.

    In addition once in 3ds Max I've not figured out how to convert all the different created textures into one material. For example, the brick texture has a different material name depending which object you select.

    When importing transparent materials from sketch up, what is the solution for asinging reflection to the map?

    Thanks,

    Jason

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  67. This is probably not the case. This posting talks about the same material in multiple shaders:

    http://3dsmaxrendering.blogspot.com/2009/06/multisub-object-instancing-trick.html

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  68. I have a lighting question I hope I can get your thoughts on.

    Until recently I was modeling SU, rendering in KerkyThea. I just started going from SU to Max.

    I have the Connection Extension and it works well for daylight settings and materials, but there is no documentation at all about importing artificial lights.

    Is there a way to model lights/emitters/etc. In SU and import to Max? I have a scene with literally hundreds of photometric lights and it would be a nightmare to have to manually add each one in MAX after already placing them in SU.

    Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
    -LP

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  69. This is not possible. The Connection Extension plug-in only recognizes native elements from the .skp file and not other plug-ins from SU.

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  70. Hello Ramy, Just something that is puzzling me. I have noticed that when I import a sketchup file into Max the fixed view I set in sketchup is different to the camera that Max creates, the max camera zooms in more. I am trying to create a compostion which uses both the sketchup image and Max rendered image but the views don't match. Any ideas will be greatly appreciated. Excellent plugin BTW!!!

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  71. The camera from SketchUp to 3DS Max is different due to the Lens size. Play with the Lens mm size. Typically SU has a smaller focal length than Max. Somewhere between 15mm-20mm should work. Because the focal lengths from SU to Max are different, it will be very difficult to match the SU image with a max shot. You can try bringing in your SU image into the Environment background as a template to match your angle in Max with the SU image.

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  72. Many thanks Ramy, the only way I have had any luck is by deliberatley zooming out more in sketchup and double checking in Max until the subject is correctly shown (in Max). I think this way there won't be any issues with foreshortening due to diffent FOV (I think!).

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  73. what is the difference between the two images?...The left side and the right side?...why they are look difference?....what render engine did you used?and what kind of shaders and materials?....thanks

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  74. i have 3d max 2010 Lynda essential training .it contains exercise file.but i cant open .i use 3d max 8 ,can i convert 3d max 2010 file to 3d max 8 so i open it

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  75. Dear Ramy, I have a few questions that have not yet been addressed in this blog:

    1)I am using 3ds max 2011 and when I import my Sketchup file, none of the materials are showing up in the materials browser in 3ds max. When I render, the materials show up but I am unable to alter them i.e. the reflectance of the glazing.

    2) My sketchup model contains many components. Is it possible to break up these components in 3ds max to make selection of individual faces or objects easier?

    3) Can the layers in sketchup show up in 3dsmax to make selections easier? There is no import option that lets me import by layers...

    Thank you

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  76. I would also love to know all of the answers to the questions above, particularly #1 and 3.

    Thanks!

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  77. Hi Ramy,
    I am using SU and render it's native Vray plugin.
    I am working in colaboration with a firm that uses max and Vray, and I am trying to figure out how to export my SU models to Max, including Vray materials and settings, with as little double work to be done. The exported scene also has to be ready for further editing.
    Am I being naive?

    Great Blog, thanks

    Assaf

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  78. When exporting from SU you can only create Standard materials. If you are importing from 3dsmax, they will import as A&D materials (mental ray). Unfortunately there is not built in process to transfer vray materials....I'm sure there may be a script out there somewhere that converts mr to vr materials.

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  79. autodesk 3ds max crashes after i'ves installed the extension??

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  80. I am using Max 2011. I import the SU file and the faces do not show up in my smooth and high light window but the show up when I render. How can I fix this? Or has anyone else had any issue with this? It's hard to edit the model if I can't see the faces.

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  81. hi...im used 3d max 2010..but i can't to import drawing from sketchup. can u help me how to solve it?

    Thank You..

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  82. @princess, You have to download and install the Connection Extension for 3ds Max 2010.

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  83. Hi Ramy!

    Still you're answering quations related to post of June 2009- box of pandora, right? With each comment you fix your rank 1 in google's search results.. ;)

    Anyway, i agree with you that polymodeling (as far as architecture is concerned) within sketchup is great. That's why i want to make the connection between SU and 3ds. Nice to see someone fighting for (underrated) SU in the CG world!

    Do you have any tips where to find information about SU - 3ds workflow?

    I'm expiriencing some troubles, right now i have a really big problem with triangulated faces making it impossible to add uvw unwrap mod for packing uv's...

    Any ideas?

    Btw, great site, thanks for all your effort and sharing your skills, there's a lot i could benefit from already!

    Best, Niko

    from Berlin

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  84. @Niko,
    if you're importing .skp files straight into max, you shouldn't even have to deal with uv's if you're texturing in SU.

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  85. Thanks for this quick answer!

    I'm texturing in SU as placeholders because it has very basic (but comfortable) texturing abilities.

    Main advantages in max are multitexture / unique material id, different visible map (eg. blend material) and recursive packing within the uvw unwrap modifier to achieve random realistic textures.

    All groups are imported as objects into Max. If you have some groups within a group they will be exploded into each single object (SU group).

    Each object in Max is represented as a mesh at first. As commonly used you'd convert objects into poly (losing instance information of components), right?

    Even if it would be nice to keep them as SU components (Max instance or reference).

    In most cases, when converting to poly (not always, strangly) the objects are triangulated and therefor it's not possible to use the "pack uv's" function of the uvw unwrap mod..

    I'm quite new to this workflow and i really hate Max sometimes.. Probably i just don't know the workaround and i hope you can clear that out..

    If you understood my problem, i'm not sure either ;)

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